Officers lauded for rapid medical response and targeted investigative work
The Chatham-Kent Police Service publicly recognised several members this week for swift, decisive action in separate incidents that ranged from a violent assault to a medical emergency involving an infant and a commercial break‑in.
The awards, presented by the Chatham‑Kent Police Services Board, highlight frontline policing that combines first‑response skills with investigative follow‑up. The honours include a Board Citation for Lifesaving Measures, multiple Letters of Recognition and an acknowledgement of exemplary 911 dispatch handling.
In one incident from June 2025, an officer was credited with stabilizing a man who had suffered severe arterial bleeding to his arm after an edged‑weapon assault. The officer applied a tourniquet and maintained control of the wound until emergency medical services arrived, measures the board said were instrumental in preserving the victim’s life. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 26‑year‑old Chatham man, who faces charges of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.
Another award acknowledged a team investigation into a break‑in at a Chatham business that resulted in the theft of approximately $10,000 in property. Using video surveillance, CCTV footage and targeted patrols, officers identified a suspect and recovered the remaining stolen items, which were returned to the business. A 30‑year‑old Chatham man has been charged with break and enter, theft and possession of property obtained by crime.
Also singled out were the combined efforts of an officer and an emergency communications operator who responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive two‑month‑old infant. The communications operator rapidly assessed the call, transferred it to paramedics and ensured police units were dispatched. The officer arrived minutes later and administered CPR until the infant began breathing and regained consciousness. The infant was transported to hospital and has since made a full recovery.
- Constable Justin Christian — Board Citation for Lifesaving Measures for tourniquet application in edged‑weapon assault (June 2025).
- Constables Trent Fox, Cole Brigley and Garrett Sanchez — Letters of Recognition for investigative work in a business break‑in; recovered property returned.
- Constable Cole Brigley and Emergency Communications Operator Abigail Case — Recognition for response to a medical emergency involving a two‑month‑old infant.
The police board congratulated the members for their "quick decision‑making, teamwork and commitment to public safety," noting that the cases illustrate the varied demands placed on officers and dispatch staff across the municipality's urban and rural areas.
| Incident | Award/Recognition | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Edged‑weapon assault (June 2025) | Board Citation for Lifesaving Measures | Tourniquet applied; victim stabilised; suspect charged |
| Business break‑in | Letters of Recognition | Suspect identified and charged; $10,000 in property recovered |
| Medical emergency — unresponsive two‑month‑old | Letter of Recognition | CPR administered; infant regained consciousness and fully recovered |
For Chatham and surrounding rural communities, the incidents underline two realities: the need for officers to be prepared to render immediate life‑saving aid, and the importance of investigative work that crosses surveillance technology, witness accounts and patrol strategies. The recovery of stolen property in the break‑in case also provided a tangible outcome for the affected local business.
Residents say such acknowledgements matter because they make visible the less‑seen aspects of policing beyond traffic enforcement and public order — from emergency medical intervention to methodical evidence gathering. The board’s recognition serves both to commend individual performance and to underscore the role of co‑ordinated response between dispatchers and field officers in saving lives and solving crimes.
The Chatham‑Kent Police Services Board did not release further details about court dates or the current status of the charged individuals beyond what was disclosed in the awards statement.
